The past year has been a fantastic year for female directors. "Wonder Woman" became the highest grossing film directed by a woman. Blockbusters like "Captain Marvel" and "Mulan" are set to have women as their directors. Ava DuVernay became the first black woman to direct a multi-hundred-million dollar film with "A Wrinkle in Time." Greta Grewig received a nomination for directorial work on Lady Bird. Still women have had an uphill battle as directors. Women comprised only seven percent of the 250 of the highest grossing films of 2016 according to a study by San Diego State University. In the ninety years of the Academy Awards, only five women have ever been nominated. Only one has won, Kathryn Bigelow for "The Hurt Locker."
That isn't to say women can't make fantastic films. They can and they will. Here are just a few female-directed films that are worth putting on your watch list:
1. "The Babadook"
Director: Jennifer Kent
Year: 2014
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
The Low-Down: Recently, the Babadook has seen a surge in popularity due to its titular character's meme status, but before that, it was lauded for its unique take on the horror genre. The Australian flick follows a widow and her son confronting a dark force that lurks in the shadows. The film has been divisive amongst some viewers for not adhering to traditional tropes but praised for its originality.
Where to stream: Netflix, Showtime
2. "But I'm a Cheerleader"
Lionsgate
Year: 1999
Director: Jamie Babbit
IMDb Score: 6.6/10
The Low-Down: "But I'm a Cheerleader" also achieved cult-status amongst lesbian and bisexual viewers as one of the very few lesbian-directed and lesbian-centric features of its time. The film follows a high school cheerleader (Natasha Lyonne of Orange is the New Black fame) who is sent to a gay-conversion camp because of her lesbian tendencies. "But I'm a Cheerleader" is chock-full of biting humor and colorful and quirky set-design.
Also RuPaul is in it. Yes, that RuPaul.
Where to stream: Available for rental on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Playstation and Apple
3. "A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night"
Kino Lorber
Director: Ana Lily Amirpour
Year: 2014
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
The Low-Down: If you never thought you'd hear the terms "Iranian Vampire Spaghetti Western" all strung together, then English director Ana Lily Amirpour is here to prove you wrong. Although filmed primarily in California, "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" is entirely in Arabic. It takes place in the fictious Iranian ghost-town known as "Bad City." Bad City is teeming with crime and vice but in its shadows lurks a chador-clad, skateboard riding vampire. Although the film had an extremely low budget, it managed to win a place at the Sundance Film Festival.
Where to stream: Netflix, Kanopy
4. "The Love Witch"
Director: Amanda Biller
Year: 2016
The Low-down: You'd be hard-pressed to find a modern film that captures that 1960's as well as "The Love Witch." Shot on 35mm film to emulate the Technicolor-era, "The Love Witch" provides a modern, feminist perspective on the serial killer genre. The film is a feast for the eyes and oozing with a dark, campy humor.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video, Kanopy
5. "Deidre and Laney Rob a Train"
Netflix
Director: Sydney Freeland
Year: 2017
IMDb rating: 6.1/10
The Low-down: "Riverdale" fans may recognize a familiar face in this Sundance film turned Netflix original. Ashleigh Murray (Josie on "Riverdale") plays one of two sisters who rob trains to support themselves after their mother is imprisoned.
Where to stream: Netflix only
6. "Jennifer's Body"
20th Century Fox
Director: Karyn Kusama
Year: 2009
IMDb Score: 5.2/10
The Low-down: "Jennifer's Body" never really quite grained traction when it was first released. Despite, being helmed by director of the Karyn Kusama, critically successful film "Girlfight," and Diablo Cody, writer of "Juno" and starring the Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried, it kind of flopped, but "Jennifer's Body" is my go-to movie for a fun night in. Similar to "The Love Witch," "Jennifer's Body" takes on the femme fatale trope with a devilish twist. Give Jennifer a try. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Where to stream: Cinemax or rent from Apple for only 99 cents
7. "We Need to Talk About Kevin"
Oscilloscope Laboratories
Director: Lynee Ramsay
Year: 2011
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
The Low-Down: Before he dazzled us as The Flash, Ezra Miller played Tilda Swinton's troubled son in this thriller. "We Need To Talk About Kevin" touches on the subjects of love, family, and guilt. Tilda Swinton's performance is particularly riveting and received Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and BAFTA nominations.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Kanopy and Shudder
8. "Big"
20th Century Fox
Director: Penny Marshall
Year: 1988
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
The Low-Down: "Big" is an icon of an American cinema. It's one of those films that transcends time. Tom Hanks lives out every child's dream to become, well, big. Interestingly enough, the film was also co-written by Steven Spielberg's sister, Anne.
Where to stream: Available for rent and purchase only on Apple, Playstation, YouTube and Google Play
9. "Children of a Lesser God"
Paramount Pictures
Director: Randa Haines
Year: 1986
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
The Low-Down: "Children of a Lesser God" was ground-breaking in many ways. Its star Marlee Matlin was the youngest actress at the time to receive an Academy Award for Best Actress. She was also the first deaf actor to star in a major motion picture since the silent film era. She is still the only deaf person to win an Academy Award. Matlin plays a deaf janitor who falls for a hearing teacher (William Hurt) at a school for the deaf.
The film has received has some criticism for its portrayal of American Sign Language and a deaf story from a hearing perspective. Characters' hands are often cut out of shots while they are signing making their dialogue very disjointed without captions.
Where to stream: Available for rent and purchase only on Apple, Playstation, YouTube and Google Play
10. "Wings" (Krylya)
Criterion
Director: Larisa Shepitko
Year: 1966
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
The Low-Down: From the Soviet Union, is one of the earliest films to be helmed by a woman. "Wings" is Larisa Shepitko's directorial debut and one of her best films. Unfortunately, the revolutionary director's life was cut short by a car accident in the 1970's.
"Wings" stars a former female fighter pilot and offers insight into the life of women after World War II in the Soviet Film. The film is a character study so may be a little slow for some viewers but is a truly beautiful film.
Where to stream: Filmstruck (the Criterion Collection's streaming service) or for purchase as part of a box set with her other film, Eclipse
Streaming information is accurate as of the time of publication.
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